Mostar Bridge
Stari Most, or the Old Bridge, is a historic stone arch bridge located in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Originally constructed in 1566 under the direction of Mimar Hayreddin, a student of the renowned architect Mimar Sinan, it was designed to replace a precarious wooden bridge. Standing 24 meters high and spanning 30 meters across the Neretva River, Stari Most is celebrated for its elegant design and engineering prowess, often described as a "rainbow arch" due to its graceful curvature[1][2].
The bridge was destroyed on November 9, 1993, during the Bosnian War when it was targeted by Croatian artillery. Its collapse symbolized the tragic destruction of cultural heritage during the conflict[1][4]. Following the war, an international effort led by UNESCO began to reconstruct Stari Most using original materials and techniques. The restoration was completed in 2004, and the bridge was inaugurated on July 23 of that year[2][3][5].
Stari Most has since become a symbol of reconciliation and cultural diversity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 2005, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its significance as a testament to the region's multicultural history and as a focal point for local identity[1][4][5]. Today, it attracts numerous visitors and stands as a powerful reminder of resilience and unity amidst adversity.
Citations:
[1] https://www.dailysabah.com/life/historic-mostar-bridge-defies-war-celebrates-20-years-rebuilt/news
[2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stari-Most
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stari_Most
[4] https://whc.unesco.org/en/story-mostar-bridge/
[5] https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/946/
[6] https://www.rferl.org/a/mostar-bridge-30-years-destroyed-restored/32677921.html
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc2J1tn74bc
[8] https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g295388-Activities-c47-t5-Mostar_Herzegovina_Neretva_Canton_Federation_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.html
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